Our February average temperatures were a bit colder this year with average temperatures over the course of the month of 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Snowfall was lower than normal as well, with only one significant snow day on February 16th of a few inches. Right after these pictures where taken, we had a very warm 55 degree day.
Risk of vine death was mitigated with only one day around February 12th that feel to -1F.
Winter pruning is our main activity in the vineyard this month. We cut back the previous year’s one-year old canes down to 2-to-4 per vine. We leave the cut canes in-between the vineyard rows and mulch them, leaving behind plenty of natural and organic matter to aid in soil health.
Average February Temperatures:
2021: 25F
2020: 29F
2019: 28F
2018: 33F
2017: 35F
March 2021 was fairly uneventful with averages temperatures around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.
Towards the later end of the month we warmed up considerably with highs in the upper 60s and lower 70s. These spikes in temperatures are always a risk in our region. Warmer temperatures signal the vine to wake up from its winter hibernation. If the vine begins bud burst before our final frost we potentially could lose many of those buds for the 2021 growing season.
Average March Temperatures:
2021: 39F
2020: 40F
2019: 33F
2018: 31F
2017: 35F
April brought a diverse range of temperatures. The first half of the month brought warm temperatures with highs in the 60’s and 70’s. These warm temperatures woke up our early-budding variety Amur.
The third week of April brought a cold snap with lows in the 30’s and upper 20’s. Luckily most of the vines did not bud break yet but the cold affected our budding Amur vines.
In the vineyard, we spend most of the time tying down the newly pruned vines. As you will see in the May diary, we pull down the newly pruned canes and tie them horizontally along the vineyard wire. This allows the upcoming shoots to grow vertically up from the canes.
Average April Temperatures:
2021: 48F
2020: 42F
2019: 46F
2018: 40F
2017: 51F
Temperatures have been increasing and the first signs of bud break are noticeable on May 4th. Early budding varieties like Amur have began bud burst while Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir are right behind.
Sadly, the cold snap in late April effected at least 50% of the buds on our Amur varieties, as you can see from the pictures.
We’ve been blessed with plenty of rainfall to help fill the water tables well beneath the soil.
The last variety to bud, Rkatsiteli, is the last to be tied.
The second half of May continued to be very warm with highs in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Right at the conclusion of the month we received a bit of rain and some lower temperatures in the 50s and 60s.
By the last week of May, our vines on our Seneca estate have developed inflorescences. These may look like baby grapes, but not yet. The next set will be flowering, when the vines self-pollinate themselves to produce the grapes.
Average May Temperatures:
2021: 57F
2020: 55F
2019: 56F
2018: 63F
2017: 55F
The first week of June brought hot temperatures, continuing the hot and dry character of this year. Up through the 18th of the month, the vineyards have only received one day of considerable rainfall.
By mid-month, our early flowering varieties like Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier have begun flowering. This flowering process is when the vine fertilizes itself creating new grapes.
The calyptra are the brown colored pieces on the end of some of the tips. The calyptra releases the male stamens and female ovaries. The stamens are the white anthers surrounding each ovary. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Vinifera vines self-pollinate. Pollen fertilizes the ovary which produces seeds as the flower begins the transformation into a grape berry, encapsulating the seed.
Dry weather is crucial at the stage. So far so good!
Average June Temperatures:
2021: 69F
2020: 68F
2019: 65F
2018: 66F
2017: 65F
Email list members receive first access to new releases, winery news, and exclusive offers.
Join our email list and stay connected with updates on new releases, special offers, and events.
